Two police officers shot and killed in Santa Cruz

Two Santa Cruz police detectives, a male and female, were shot to death while investigating claims of sexual assault on Tuesday.

According to The Associated Press, the officers were in a suspects home following up on a short chase through the neighborhood.

Residents in the area were warned to lock their doors and stay inside during the situation. The two officers shot were Sgt. Loren Butch Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler. Baker had been with the department for more than 25 years and leaves behind a wife and three children. Butler had worked for the department for ten years and leaves behind two children.

Police Chief Kevin Vogel told the AP, “There aren't words to describe this horrific tragedy. This is the darkest day in the history of the Santa Cruz police department."

After the shooting, police went door-to-door in the area attempting to find potential additional suspects.

According to NBC Los Angeles, the FBI has joined the investigation, along with the California Highway Patrol.